| 261 Austin A. King, judge of the fifth circuit in Missouri.
It was generally understood at that time that said arms had been stolen by Neil Gillum, and his company of volunteers, who had been upon a six months tour of service in the war between the United States and the Florida Indians, they were supposed to have been taken from the Fort at "Tampa Bay, "and brought to Richmond Clay County and that Captain Pollard or some other person loaned them to the mob-He further says that whilst in office as sheriff he was forcibly and illegally compelled by Lieutenant Cook, son in law or brother in law of Bogard, the Methodist Priest-to start for Richmond and when he demanded of him by what authority he acted he was shown a Bowie knife and a brace of Pistols-And when he asked what they wanted of him he said they would let him know when he got to Richmond. Many of the citizens of Caldwell County were taken in the same manner without any legal process whatever and thrust into prison.
GEORGE W. PITKIN.
BRIGHAM YOUNG sworn. Says that, so far as he was acquainted with the facts stated by the previous witnesses, he concurs with them, and that he accompanied Mr. Joseph Smith into the State of Missouri, and arrived at Far West on the 14th day of March, 1838, and was neighbor to Mr. Smith until he was taken by Governor Boggs' militia, a prisoner of war, as they said, and that he was knowing to his character whilst he was in the State of Missouri; and that he, Mr. Smith, was in no way connected with the militia of the State: neither did he bear arms at all, nor give advice, but was a peaceable, law-abiding, good citizen, and a true republican in every sense of the word. He was with Mr. Smith a great share of the time, until driven out of Missouri by an armed force, under the exterminating order of Governor Boggs. He heard the most of Mr. Smiths' public addresses, and never did he hear him give advice or encourage anything contrary to the laws of the State of Missouri; but to the contrary, always instructing the people to be peaceable, quiet, and law-abiding, and if necessity should compel them to withstand their enemies, by whom they were daily threatened in mobs at various points, that they, the Mormons, should attend to their business strictly, and not regard reports; and if the mob did come upon them, to contend with them by the strong arm of the law; and if that should fail, our only relief would be self defence [defense]: and be sure and act only upon the defensive. And there were no operations against the mob by the militia of Caldwell county only by the advice of Generals Atchison, Doniphan, and Parks.
At the time that the army came in sight of Far West, he observed their approach, and thought some of the militia of the State had come to the relief of the citizens; but to his great surprise, he found that they were come to strengthen the hands of the mobs that were around us, and which immediately joined the army. A part of these mobs were painted like Indians, and "Gillum," their leader, was also painted in a similar manner, and styled himself "DELAWARE CHIEF," and afterwards he, and the rest of the mob, claimed and obtained pay, as militia, from the State, for all the time they were engaged as mob, as will be seen by reference to the acts of the Legislature. That there were Mormon citizens wounded and murdered by the army under the command of General Lucas, and he verily believes that several women were ravished to death by the soldiery of Lucas and Clark. He also stated that he saw Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, and George W. Robinson, delivered up by Colonel Hinkle to General Lucas, but expected they would have returned to the city that evening or the next morning, according to the agreement, and the pledge of the sacred honor of the officers that they should be allowed to do so: but they did not return at all. The next morning, General Lucas demanded and took away the arms of the Militia of Caldwell county, (which arms have never been returned,) assuring them that they should be protected; but so soon as they obtained possession of the arms, they commenced their ravages by plundering the citizens of their bedding, clothing, money, wearing apparel, and everything of value they could lay their hands upon; and also attempting to violate the chastity of the women in sight of their husbands and friends-under the pretence [pretense] of hunting for prisoners and arms. The soldiers shot down our oxen, cows, hogs, and fowls, at our very doors, taking part away, and leaving the rest to rot in the streets. The soldiers also turned their horses into our fields of corn.
Here the witness was shewn [shown] General Clark's speech, which is as follows, viz:
"GENTLEMEN, You whose names are not attached to this list of names, will now have the privilege of going to your fields, and of providing corn, wood, &c., for your families. Those that are now taken will go from this to prison, be tried, and receive the due demerit of their crimes; but you, (except such as charges may hereafter be preferred against,) are at liberty as soon as the troops are removed that now guard the place, which I shall cause to be done immediately. It now devolves upon you to fulfil [fulfill]
(page 261) |